Hamilton credits setup changes for Mexico GP pole

Lewis Hamilton secured his 105th career Formula 1 pole position at the Mexican Grand Prix after adjusting his approach to the weekend. The seven-time world champion edged out former Mercedes teammate George Russell by 0.009 seconds at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, credited the result to a revised strategy and setup. He noted that the team made a slight tweak to their approach, which he felt gave them a better chance to compete at the front.

Hamilton emphasized the importance of understanding the track conditions, particularly the changing wind direction, tyre performance, and track temperature. He said the team reviewed all factors throughout the weekend to optimize their performance.

Ferrari had previously struggled with consistency in qualifying, despite strong performances in practice sessions. Last weekend, the team topped all three practice sessions but underperformed in qualifying, with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

Hamilton acknowledged the challenge of managing tyre temperatures and grip on the low-grip surface in Mexico. He said the team had been working to perfect this aspect, particularly since the switch to 18-inch tyres, and that the adjustments paid off in Sunday's session.

Hamilton described his lap as 'smooth' after navigating the first three turns, and he felt he maintained a consistent pace throughout. He also noted the close competition from his team-mate and other drivers, highlighting the tight nature of the race.